Plating rack for heavy work pieces



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 18,' 1958 v. R. MOGIBBON ETAL PLATING RACK FOR HEAVY woRR PIECES Filed May 24, 1955 v. R. MCGIBBON ErAL 2,827,430

PLATIN@ RACK FOR HEAVY WORK PIECES March 1s, 1958v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 24, 1955 United States Patent Application May 24,.195'5,'Serial No. 510,696

`9Clai1ns. (Ci. 2134-497) VThis invention relates generally to elecroplating apparatus, and more particularly torracks Yfor holding the articles to be -plated during the plating operation. ln

-the electroplating of metal articles such as heavy' plates,

it isnccessary that'theplates be properly supported on the racks and readily accessible for attachment thereto and removal therefrom without undue labor or floss of time.

An object of the present'invention, therefore, is to provide a plating rack for heavy work pieces, suchas bars, plates and billets, which will support said metal work pieces in position for electroplating, such as nickel plating, and to provide a structure for readily loading and unloading the article to be plated from its rack.

yAnother object is to provide aplating rack .having means for making good electrical contact between the work piece andthe rack whereby to avoid variable and uncertain current densities and consequentuncertain qual- `ity control of the coating.

erence being had to the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the plating rack and the Work supported thereon, with the work beam L support therefor shown in section;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the rack shown in Figure 1, the beam support being shown in section, and the work in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the saddle which is part of the rack and supports the same from the work beam;

Figure 4 is an enlarged broken away horizontal seetional View of the rack sides with the bar being shown in full lines;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional View showing the bars in vertical sectional lines and theparts associated therewith;

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective View taken from one side, with parts shown in section of various elements of the clamp;

:Figure 8 is a perspective View, taken from the opposite side of the structure shown in Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the adjustable stud.

Problems having arisen in supporting heavy plates during the electroplating operation of the same. These problems include the easy attachment to and removal from the rack of the articles to be plated, hereinaftervtermed plates;'and the (provision of a clamp on the plating rack which will make a good electrical contact with the plate; and the provision of a plating rack which will berugged Venough towithstand the strains imposed-uponthe same v during Athe plating operation and while the plate is being Aattached or removed from the rack, without injury to lee the rack. The present invention `overcomesthese difficulties withoutmaking it necessary to provide a large number ofparts to accomplish these results.

Referring to the drawings,lthe plating rack as a whole is indicated 'by the letter A. The rack is supported upon the work `beam 1) which latter rests upon suitable supports, one of which is indicated at 1'2 in Figure 2.

The rackvis essentially comprised of a pair of spaced parallel vertical sides l14. yThese sides are mounted upon the lowerv end of the'saddle V--16 which is slidably arranged on-the work beam v10. The lower end of the saddle supports the rack proper by meansrof a pair of spacers or washers l 'and the upper vend .of the sides, `washers and thelower rend of thesaddle are provided with apertures indicatedfin dotted/linesfat 20 for the reception of bolts 82.

The 'parallel-.fsidesfl4 Eare-.held in spaced relation by a series of bars 22. vAny number of bars may be provided by drilling or punching holes `24 in the sides 14. After the vbars are inserted, Vthe-outwardly facing ends of the holes yor apertures are'closed by vwelds 26, as shown in Figure V4. The lowerbarsare arranged closely adjacent to each other asrseen Yin Figures land 2, in order to support the adjustable foot 28. This foot, as shown in Figures l and 5, isiprovide'd with aniupwar'dly inclined surface `Zatifand ahorizontal surface 432. The 'back of the foot has a horizontally extending section 34that extends between a pair of bars 22 and an upwardly turned ange 3o. The back of the foot extendsvertically from the section 3'4 to the lower end 'of the foot in order to provide a verticalresting surface`38'whichsurfaee engages a plurality-of bars 22,-aszshown in FigurefS, to thereby form a firm support Afor the Work, such. as the plate indicated by the1numeral=40.

Extendingf'across Vadjacent'the upper end of the parallel sides and Welded thereto at '42 4is the fixed block 44. AThis block has ya forwardly projecting face do, as seen inFigure `l, which latter is provided with an aperture 48, lasseen in'Figure 8. VThe lower end of this aperture is provided with' threads't for engagement by the threads `52'ofthe stud54.

The upper end'of'th'e stud isprovidedv with a cylindrical portion 54 which engages -theboreof the aperture Preferably, theupper end of the aperture is closed by a Other suitable to thereby protect `the`threads from clogging.

.Substantially medially of Vthestud is an octagonal, or

multisided, nut '58 landbelo'w this nut are oppositely vpitched threads ll. These latter'threads, as shown in `the several .gures,-en`gage the threads 62 of the adjustaable block '64.

The lower vend of the block 6 is provided with a Vnose-66 -for engagement over theend of the work, and afiat 'portionS `forfdirect engagement with the work. The upper portion Vofthe adjustable block is provided with a horizontally-extending flange portion 7d that erttends betweenthe parallel sides i4. A removable stop comprises a pin VV77.2. that extendsthrough a pair of the holes `Zlfin ordervto prevent downward movement of the blockoe-'to'such an'extent that said block will become vdisengagedfrom the 'threads o@ of the stud. lt

'will be appreciatedithatthethreads of the fixed and movahlefbl-ocks-are oppositely turned threads and that these 'threads Lare engaged by the .oppositely turned threads "S2 .and 'ell ofthestud 54 so that the turning of Vsaidzstudby theengagement of the nut 58 thereof with az-suitable tool will cause -rnovements in an up and down directioniof the movable block soA as to move said block toward or vaway from' the fixed block 44.

In order to properly support a work piece, such as a,

plate, for the plating operation, the saddle 16 may be" Y adjusted to proper position along the work beam 10. The movable block is then caused to move upwardly by rotation Yof the nut 58 in the proper direction. The lengthwise dimension of the plate is then ascertained and the adjustable foot is moved Vto the position so as to support the plate, as shown in Figure 1, butto leave suicient clearance for the upper end of the plate to move to the position shown in Figure l. The nut 58 is then rotated to cause theY block 64 to move downwardly so that the hat portion 68 thereof will rmly engage the work piece. By tightening the nut, the work piece will form a rigid connection between the adjustable foot 28 and the adjustable block 64. This contact provides an electrical connection between the Work andthe plating rack which is unvariable. Y Y

As will be noted by reference to the above description and drawings, the instant plating rack may be readily adjustable for different sized work pieces within a minimum amount of time, because very little time is required to adjust the foot 28 and to subsequently tighten the adjustable block 64 to form a rm gripping Contact with both ends of the plate.

The above description and drawings disclose a single embodiment of the invention, and specific language has been employed in describing the several ligures. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitations of the scope of the invention are thereby contemplated, and that various alterations and modications may be made such as would occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

We claim:

l. An electroplating rack comprising a pair of generally vertically arrangedsubstantially parallel sides, supporting means for supporting said sides, bars connecting said sides, an adjustable foot supported by said bars having a flanged section supported .between said bars and located adjacent the lower end of said plating rack, a ixed block extending between said sides adjacent the upper end of said rack, an adjustable block having a portion extending between said parallel sides, and'means including said portion on said adjustable block supporting said adjustable block from said ixed block, said means having actuating means thereon for adjusting said adjustable block toward and from said fixed block, said adjustable foot and adjustable block each having a confronting work engaging face.

2. An electrically conductive electroplating rack. comprising vertical supporting*means,'means'for supporting said vertical supporting Ymeans on a horizontally extend- `ing member, an adjustable foot, an adjustable block,

means for supporting said foot and means for supporting block in position whereby either of them may be adjusted toward or from the other, said foot and block having confronting work engaging faces, said means for supporting said foot and block comprising a plurality of spaced supporting elements, said foot having a surface for simultaneously engaging a plurality of said elements whereby to provide good electrical contact between said foot and said supporting elements, and a section on said foot extending between a pair of adjacent elements having an upturned flange provided with a surface engaging the side of one of said elements opposite from the side engaged by the said first-mentioned foot surface.

3. A plating rack, said plating rack comprising means for supporting the same on a horizontal support, a pair of vertical sides connected to said supporting means, a xed block extending between said sides and rigidly connected thereto, said block having a threaded aperture, an

ad'fstable block, means adjustably and threadedly con- ,.,ting said threaded aperture of said fixed block to said iower end of the same, an adjustable foot engaging said Y 2,827,430 Y Y -A i i bars, said adjustable foot and adjustable block having confronting work engaging faces, said adjustable foot having a horizontally extending section extending between a pair of adjacent bars, and a ilange extending at a right angle to said section.

4. A plating rack, said plating rack comprising means for supporting the same on a horizontal support, a pair of vertical sides connected to said supporting means, a lixed block extending `between said sides and rigidly connected'thereto, said block having a threaded aperture, an adjustable block, means adjustably connecting said xed block to said adjustable block, said means adjustably connecting Ysaid blocks comprising a stud having oppositely inclined screw threads, said blocks having oppositely inciined screw threads for engagement by said oppositely inclined screw threads rst named, means located between said oppositely inclined screw threads on said stud for rotating the same, said sides having a plurality of :tixed spaced parallel bars connected to said sides adjacent the lower end of the same, an adjustable foot having a substantially horizontal section extending between a pair of said bars, said section having a back portion extending vertically for engaging one of said bars, said foot having a downwardly extending portion engaging others of said bars, said foot removably engaging said bars whereby the same may be moved to engage yothers of said bars, said adjustable foot and adjustable block havingV confronting work engaging faces.

5. A plating rack, said plating rack comprising means for supporting the same on a horizontal support, a pair of vertical sides connected to said supporting means, a xed block extending between said sides and rigidly connected thereto, said block having` a threaded aperture, an adjustable block, means adjustably connecting said xed block to said adjustable block, said Vmeans adjustably connecting said blocks comprising a stud having oppositely inclined screw threads, said blocks having oppositely inclined screw threads for engagement by said oppositely inclined screw threads first named, means located between said oppositely inclined screw threads on said stud for rotating the same, said sides having a plurality of lixed spaced parallel bars connected -to said sides adjacent the lower end of the same, an adjustable foot engaging said bars, said adjustable foot and adjustable block having confronting work engaging faces, said adjustable foot having a horizontally extending section extending between a pair of adjacent bars, and a flange extending at a right angle to said section. Y

6. A plating rack, said plating rackl comprising means for supporting the same on a horizontal supporL-a pair of vertical sides connectedrto said supporting means, a ixed block extending between said sides and rigidly connected thereto, said block having a threaded aperture, an adjustable block, means adjustably connecting said xed block to said adjustable block, said means adjustably connecting said blocks comprising a stud having oppositely inclined screw threads, said blocks having oppositely inclined screw threads vforY engagement by said oppositely inclined screw threads rst named, means located between said oppositely inclined screw threads on said stud for rotating the same, said last named means comprising a nut, said sides having a plurality of iixed spaced parallel bars connected to said sides adjacent theY lower end of the same, an adjustable foot havingV a substantially horizontal section extending between a pair of said bars, said section having a back portion extending vertically Yfor engaging one ofk said bars, said foot having a downwardly extending portion engaging others of said hars,

said foot removably engaging said bars whereby the same may be moved to engage others of said bars, said adjustable foot and adjustable block havingconfronting worlt engaging faces.

V7. A platingprack, said plating rack comprising means for supporting the same on a horizontal support, a pair of vertical sides connected to said supporting means, a lixed block extending between said sides and rigidly connected thereto, said block having a threaded aperture, an adjustable block, means adjustably connecting said fixed block to said adjustable block, said means adjustably connecting said blocks comprising a stud having oppositely inclined screw threads, said blocks having oppositely inclined screw threads for engagement by said oppositely inclined screw threads irst named, means located between said oppositely inclined screw threads on said stud for rotating the same, said last named means comprising a nut, said sides having a plurality of fixed spaced parallel bars connected to said sides adjacent the lower end of the same, an adjustable foot engaging said bars, said adjustable foot and adjustable block having confronting work engaging faces, said adjustable foot having a horizontally extending section extending between a pair of adjacent bars, and a ange extending at a right angle to said section.

8. An electroplating rack comprising a pair of generally vertically arranged substantially parallel sides, supporting means for supporting said sides, bars connecting said sides, an adjustable foot supported by said bars having a lianged section supported between said bars and located adjacent the lower end of said plating rack, a supporting member fixed to said rack adjacent the upper end thereof, an adjustable block having a portion extending between said parallel sides, and means including said portion on said adjustable block supporting said adjustable block from said xed member, said means having actuating means thereon for adjusting said adjustable block toward and from said xed member, said adjustable foot and adjustable block each having a confronting work engaging face.

9. An electrically conductive electroplating rack comprising vertical supporting means, means for supporting said vertical supporting means on a horizontally extending member, an adjustable foot, an adjustable block, means for supporting said foot and means for supporting said block in position whereby either of them may be adjusted toward or from the other, said foot and block having confronting work engaging faces, said means for supporting said foot and block comprising a plurality of spaced supporting elements, said foot having a surface for simultaneously engaging a plurality of said elements whereby to provide good electrical contact between said foot and said supporting elements, and a section on said foot extending between a pair of adjacent elements having a ange provided with a surface engaging the side of one of said elements opposite from the side engaged by the said first-mentioned foot surface.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. AN ELECTROPLATING RACK COMPRISING A PAIR OF GENERALLY VERTICALLY ARRANGED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SIDES, SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID SIDES, BARS CONNECTING SAID SIDES, AN ADJUSTABLE FOOT SUPPORTED BY SAID BARS HAVING A FLANGED SECTION SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID BARS AND LOCATED ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF SAID PLATING RACK, A FIXED BLOCK EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SIDES ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF SAID RACK, AN ADJUSTABLE BLOCK HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID PARALLEL SIDES, AND MEANS INCLUDING SAID PORTION ON SAID ADJUSTABLE BLOCK SUPPORTING SAID ADJUSTABLE BLOCK FROM SAID FIXED BLOCK, SAID MEANS HAVING ACTUATING MEANS THEREON FOR ADJUSTING SAID ADADJUSTABLE FOOT AND ADJUSTABLE BLOCK EACH HAVING A CONFRONTING WORK ENGAGING FACE. 